Speakers

Speaker	Date	Topic
Dr. Paul Clarke	Nov 18, 2025	Corruption and the American Way of Life The fight against corruption has been an unspoken key theme of the American Experiment. The Thirteen Colonies, the American Revolution, and the US Constitution were all remedies to living under a corrupting monarchy. In the modern era, we think of corruption as national-level practices by authorities that impair the integrity and function of government to the benefit of a person or group. Indeed, the casual observer would say that the world is living through a pandemic of corruption. In this talk, the speaker will define the current state of corruption around the world, and how it is impacting the US. Since the US has experienced corrupt periods before (think the Gilded Age), Americans have previously found strategies to overcome corruption and build a better society. Indeed, progressives on the left and right made California a leading actor in defeating the corruption the Gilded Age. Can California be a catalyst to get past the corruption that engulfs the US now? What will it take to return to good governance?
Len Dell'Amico	Dec 02, 2025	Friend of the Devil: Len Dell'Amico Reflects on a Career with Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead Fairfax-based Filmmaker and author Len Dell’Amico shares stories and insights from his 2025 book *Friend of the Devil*, a refreshing and resonant look at his years working with the Grateful Dead and the creative spirit that defined one of America’s most iconic bands. As the Dead’s longtime video director and a close collaborator on concert films and documentaries, Dell’Amico offers a behind-the-scenes view of how music, friendship, and improvisation came together to create something timeless. In this engaging presentation, Len reflects on the band’s collaborative ethos, the evolution of their live performances, and what the Grateful Dead can still teach us about creativity and community today.
Mill Valley Middle School Ensemble Orchestra	Dec 16, 2025	Holiday Party Concert: Not So Silent Night The elite award winning Mill Valley Middle School Chamber Orchestra and their music teacher Steve Gardner are proud to present a selection of holiday music to celebrate "The Season". It always feels great to bring a little warmth when it's Cold Outside. The tradition of our Winter Holiday is very special to them, and they hope we'll enjoy their interpretations of some of the classics and not so classics. The culmination of five years of music education, the group is supported by generous community donations through the Kiddo! foundation. Steve considers it an honor to be the leader of this program.
Colonel Brendan Kearney	Jan 06, 2026	America's Adversaries and Our Preparedness A brief examination of America's two primary adversaries - China and Russia - and their relative military strength versus the ongoing US military build-up and the emerging defense partnerships in the Asia-Pacific.
Scott Fletcher	Jan 20, 2026	More Moments in Marin History – Stories from Marin County’s Past Travel back in time with local author Scott Fletcher when he shares his new book: More Moments in Marin History: Familiar Tales & Untold Stories. Based on photographs taken from the Marin History Museum's vast image collection, the presentation tells the story of the people, businesses, organizations and events that have shaped the county we all call home.